Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3955, Thomas Gayle, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Pa
Gayle, Thomas Susannah
R 3955
CONTENTS

Declaration of Susannah Gayle (widow of Tho s Gayle) for a Pension under Act July 29 th 1848-

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 29 th July, 1848 - State of Virginia: Charlotte County to wit:
On this 10 th day of July 1849, personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, Susan- nah Gayle, a resident of said County and State, aged 89 years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed the 29 th of July, 1848, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Widows of officers and soldiers of the Revolutionary Army."
That she is the widow of Thomas Gayle, deceased, late of Charlotte, and formerly of Gloucester County, and State of Virginia, who was a Lieutenant in the Minute and Militia service of Virginia, in the war of the Revolution.
That having married him subsequent to the close of the Revolutionary war, she of course, can have no personal knowledge of his services: but she has repeatedly heard from him, and others who served with him, that he served as Lieutenant a considerable length of time, on various occasions, during the war; and particularly towards the close of the war in 1780, and 1781, when the British were stationed in the lower part of Virginia, near York Town Williamsburg &c in the whole something like twelve months; for which length of time she claims a pension. That in consequence of old age, bodily infirmity, and the great distance she now lives from the scene of his

actions and former place of residence, she will be unable to produce much evidence of his services, except his commission, and such Record evidence as she has in possession: and therefore has to rely mostly on the Army Records in the possession of the Government, to support her claim.
She further declares that she was married to the said Thomas Gayle on the 28 th day of November 1794; that her husband the said Thomas Gayle, died on the 24 th day of May, 1824 believe in 1824 that she was not married to him, prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the second of January, Eighteen hundred, viz: at the time above stated.
She further swears that she is now a widow, and that she has never before made an application for a pension.
Susannah his Gayle mark x
sworn to and subscribed before me, the date above written. I further certify, that said Susannah Gayle is well known to me, and considers her from old age and bodily infirmity, unable and unfit to attend the County Court of Charlotte in order to make the foregoing Declaration. I further certify, that she is a lady highly respected for her moral qualities, and that her statement is entitled to implicit confidence. Given under my hand this 30 th day of July 1849.
H. P. ARNETT J.P.
State of Virginia - Charlotte County to wit: I do hereby certify that I was intimate

= by acquainted with Thomas Gayle late of Charlotte, and formerly of Gloucester County, and recollect distinctly he departed this life on the 26 th day of May 1824 ; that Susannah Gayle, his widow, is still living in Charlotte, and has not intermarried ; but continues to be the widow of said Thomas Gayle, deceased - Henry Barnes
sworn to and subscribed before me - I further certify, he is a credible person, and statement entitled to full confidence - Given under my hand the 31 st day of July 1849.
W. L. Ligon J.P.
State of Virginia, Charlotte County locat.
I, William Robinson Clerk of the County Court of the County of Charlotte do hereby certify that William Bawn was at the trial of the Criminal Court on the 30 th and 31 st days of July 1849, an acting justice of the peace in and for the said County, duly commissioned & qualified according to law, and that his signature to the said Certificate is genuine - Given under my hand and the seal of my said Office this 14 th day of February A.D. 1853
William Robinson Clk

I Nancy Coleman do hereby Certify, that I was personally acquainted with Thomas Gayle who served in the Revolution I became acquainted with the said Thomas Gayle some time during the year Seventeen Hundred and ninety six and was present at his marriage with Mrs Susanna P. Brown in Mathews County Virginia some time in November of the same year I then lived in his family Eighteen years and have seen his Discharge and heard him read it to his friends frequently and further certify that Sarah S. Groner is a daughter of the said Thomas Gayle who died in May of the year Eighteen Hundred and twenty four and his wife Susanna P. Gayle died in January of the year Eighteen Hundred and fifty four Given under my hand this 13 th May 1857
Nancy Coleman
Sworn and Subscribed to before us the 13 th May 1857
L. T. Hart Wm. J. Shaw Justices Of the Peace for Wayne County Tenn.

No 1227.
Susannah Gayle widow of Thomas Gayle ——— Va.
M rs B. Bedford June 5/53 G. W. Talbot Jan y 29/58.
3955 Gayle
Act 29 July 1848

Gloucester C.H.O. July 31/1849
W m E. B. Bedford Esq
Charlotte C. House Yrs
mail

Gloster Ch. 30 th July 1809
Dear Sir
Yours of the 24 th inst: in relation to information concerning the marriage of Mrs Susannah Gayle is duly rec d .
The Clerk's office of this County together with all the records were destroyed by fire in the year 1820. and consequently, I can furnish you with no information
Very Respectfully
Your obt Servt
John R. Carey
P.S. I think it probable that the persons you mention are from Middlesex County which was at that time part of Gloucester.

To a Certain Gentleman The Commonwealth of VIRGINIA
Gentleman, greeteth
K NOW YOU that our GOVERNOUR, on Recommendation from the Court of the County of Henrico hath constituted and appointed you James M. Taylor in a Company of Militia in the said County. In Testimony whereof, the our Letters are sealed with the Seal of the Commonwealth, and made Patent.
Witness THOMAS JEFFERSON, Esquire, our said Governour, at Richmond, the 10th Day of April in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty.

The Commonwealth of VIRGINIA
To Thomas Gayle —
Gentleman, greeting:
K NOW YOU that our GOVERNOUR, on Recommendation from the Court of the County of Gloucester hath constituted and appointed you First Lieutenant in a Company of Militia in the said County. In Testimony whereof, the our Letters are sealed with the Seal of the Commonwealth, and made Patent.
Witness THOMAS JEFFERSON, Esquire, our said Governor, at Richmond, the Third Day of April in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty. One
W. Bell

Decaturville Tenn. • Official Business. Daily } Jan 2 1872
Sarah J. ... Thomas -
Dear Geo. C. Whiting Com. of Pensions, Washington City, D. C.
[Large cursive signature]

Decaturville, Jan. 2d, 1857.
Sir:
Is the testimony contained in the enclosed affidavit of Nancy Coleman sufficient to identify the heirs of Thomas Gale? If the name of Thomas Gale can be found upon the rolls of the Virginia troops in the war of the Revolution, will the testimony of Mrs. Coleman enable the children of the soldier to draw the amount due their mother at the time of her death.
Very Respectfully, Your obedt Servt, Geo W. Talbot
Hon. No. C. Whiting Washington City, D. C.

State of Virginia Charlotte Ct: House
February 14 th 1853-
Sir,
I enclose you the Declaration of Mrs Susannah Gayle, widow of Thomas Gayle, deceased, (together with Thomas Gayle's Commission as Lieutenant, and letter from the Clerk of Gloucester County) who claims a pension under the Act of Congress of July 29 th 1848-
In this case, the papers were retained by me, in expectation of receiving some additional testimony from the County of Gloucester in relation to the services of her deceased husband; but unfortunately all to whom I was referred, proved to have died some few years since. In this case, I have to rely principally on the public Records of the Army, the high character & standing of Mrs Gayle for veracity, and the particular location of Mr Gayle, being in 1780 & 1781, at the seat of warfar, where he could not avoid being called into service - There can be no doubt he was in the service, & Mrs Gayle states for 12 months. Mrs Gayle, I understand, is still living at an advanced age, & retains her memory remarkably well; and has several children, who reside near her - The great distance she lives from Gloucester, and her extreme old age, I trust, will excuse her in a measure from complying with the strict rules of the Depart-

ment in such cases.
I submit the papers in hopes that some allowance may be made here.
I am, Sir, very respectfully
your Obedt. Servt &c &c
Wm J. B. Bedford
James E. Heath esqr
Court of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1863.
3900.
P. O.
Susannah Gale Gayle
Service: wid. of Thos.
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
RECORDED
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18